Thermal and colloidal behavior of amine-treated clays: The role of amphiphilic organic cation concentration

S. I. Marras, A. Tsimpliaraki, I. Zuburtikudis, C. Panayiotou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The modification of sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) through the insertion of amphiphilic hexadecylammonium cations into the clay's interlayer spaces has been studied. Alkylammonium concentrations equivalent to 0.15-3.00 times the cation exchange capacity of the clay were used. The conformation of the surfactant cations in the confined space of the silicate galleries was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy, while the organoclay's thermal stability was examined by thermogravimetric analysis. The clay's surface properties induced by the ion-exchange process were followed by measurements of the mineral's zeta potential as a function of pH and surfactant concentration, while the coagulation rates of organoclay suspensions in water and in chloroform were examined using dynamic light scattering. All the results are consistent with showing that the overall characteristics and thus the behavior of the modified MMT particles strongly depend on the alkylammonium surfactant concentration used in the modification process. This, however, has very important implications for any attempt to incorporate the organomodified MMT particles into different media for various applications such as polymer nanocomposite preparation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)520-527
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume315
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 15 2007

Keywords

  • Cationic surfactant
  • Coagulation
  • Dynamic light scattering
  • Montmorillonite
  • Surface charge
  • Thermal stability
  • Zeta potential

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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